On the protective effect of resilience in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Research on the contribution of positive personality traits to the progression of coronary heart disease (CHD) is notably absent. Resilience is the capacity to develop oneself successfully despite adverse circumstances. In a study of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the authors investigated the effect of resilience on indicators of CV severity and the physiological mechanisms underlying this effect. Patients (n = 134) completed a scale measuring resilience. The authors measured troponin-I and myoglobin as indicators of ACS severity, and white blood cell (WBC) count and neutrophils as inflammatory markers. Results showed that self-efficacy-a component of resilience-was negatively related to both myoglobin and troponin after the acute coronary event. The relationship between resilience and these prognostic markers was mediated by the WBC count. Importantly, this result held significant after controlling for the effect of classic CV risk factors and demographics. The authors conclude that resilience decreases the extent of the myocardial infarction by affecting the inflammatory response, showing a protective effect.